Captain Chambers jumps from his chair, spilling hot coffee everywhere. He curses under his breath but does not bother looking down at the mess.
He scrambles upright and runs toward the gate.
The other officers react the same way.
"It's opening!"
"Move! Someone might need help!" One of them remembers the earlier scene when Rhaenas burst out of the gate carrying their comrades.
"Go! And don't just run to the gate!" Captain Chambers shouts while sprinting. "Tell the others and the doctors to get ready. We don't know how many are injured this time!"
He reaches the pulsing stone arch within ten seconds.
Against the dark sky, the light radiating from the gate is blindingly bright.
"Turn on the lights!" he barks, realizing the area is too dim.
An officer activates the heartstone floodlights. Instantly, the entire area is bathed in brilliant white light, turning night into artificial day.
They stand ready.
Hearts pounding.
